Microsoft has confirmed rumours that work is in progress on the next version of its web browser, Windows Internet Explorer 8 (IE8). The company is targeting the first half of 2008 to deliver IE8 beta 1 while keeping quiet about future milestones.

Internet Explorer 8 aim is to support standards with excellent implementations without breaking the existing web. Company reports confirm that at least in the labotatory IE8 in standards mode correctly renders the “Acid2 Browser Test”. Acid2 is a test that determines how well a browser works with several different web standards.

When asked wy does IE8 need an additional standards mode, and other browsers don’t, Microsoft says the expectation of pre-existing sites for how “standards mode” functions actually differs significantly across browsers. Many sites today are coded to work properly in other browsers under those browsers’ standards modes, but then hand IE7 a different set of content or styling under that same mode. Their goal is to encourage interoperability for web developers; IE8's new standards mode will attempt to be interoperable with other browsers’ standards modes, so that in other browsers, the page can continue to be rendered by their standards mode.

Microsoft says the goal with IE8 is to deliver the next generation web browser designed for the new web, making it safe and easy to use web services. For consumers, IE8 promises to deliver an easy and safe to experience the web and web services while Web Developers and Internet Content Providers will benefit of consistent development across browser platforms.

A number of new features are in the cards for enterprises, consumers and partners that will help them deliver and experience a richer online experience but the company would not discuss these right now, leaving the details to be disclosed in the coming months.